Crimping of wire reinforcing baskets

ABSTRACT

A machine for fabricating from wire mesh a cylindrical wire basket for use in reinforcing spun concrete pipes. The machine bends over circumferentially extending wires of the mesh about one of the longitudinal wires of the mesh to link the overlapping edges of the web. The machine obviates the need to weld the overlapping wires.

a ll lJmte States Patent 1 1 3,561,501

[72] Inventor Denis Fauteux [56] Reierences Cited z426iverside Drive. Windsor, Ontario. UNITED STATES PATENTS ana a l3l L927 8/1919 Trotman. l40/l l3 Q J $32 1,603,687 10/1926 Green. 140 112 e d 1971 3,157,209 11 1964 First,etal 140 102 3 1968 3,191,509 6 1965 Pearson 94/8 C d 3,192,962 7 1965 Firs1.etal 140 107 22;; 3,194,935 7/1965 Stoeckelmm 219/56 I 1 3,234,973 2/1966 Adams 140/1 12 3.370.150 2/1968 Nordgren 1. 2l9/l25 Primary ExaminerLowell A. Larson 1541 CRIMPING F WIRE REINFORCING BASKETS WW-Stevens Daw- 13 Claims, 24 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 140/107, ABSTRACT: A machine for fabricating from wire mesh 21 140/113 cylindrical wire basket for use in reinforcing spun concrete [5]] lnLCl B2lf /04, pipes. The machine bends over circumferentially extending B2lf 33/00 wires of the mesh about one of the longitudinal wires of the Field of Search /24, 71 mesh to link the overlapping edges of the web. The machine 105, 107, ill, ll3;29/5l3 obviates the need to weld the overlapping wires.

PATE NTED FEB' elem 3.561.501

sum on HF 15 ULllllIlllll PATENTED res 9m?! '8HEET 100F15 PATENTED FEB 9 |97| SHEET 12 [1F 15 PATENTEU FEB 9197:

Y 3,561,501 sum 15 nr 15 CRIMPING F WIRE REINFORCING BASKETS This invention relates to the reinforcement of concrete pipes.

It is common practice to manufacture concrete pipes, such as concrete sewer pipes, by a spinning process in which the concrete is forced outwardly by centrifugal force against the inside of a rotating cylindrical mould. Furthermore, it is common practice to reinforce pipes made in this manner by the inclusion in the mould, during the concrete spinning operation, of a wire cage or basket formed of iron or steel rods., In the solidified pipe (after suitable aging), the iron or steel rods serve as reinforcement by resisting tensile forces which the concrete cannot accommodate.

According to known processes for the use of such cages or baskets, an electric welding process is used to join a mesh of wires to form the desired cylindrical basket. A flat mesh of welded rods is formed, is bent to circular form, and the overlapping parts of the mesh edges are welded together. It has been found in practice that it is difficult to make a satisfactory basket in this manner.

The present invention includes a method of fabricating a wire basket in the form of an open-ended cylinder suitable for the reinforcement of tubular and other concrete structures, comprising the formation of a wire mesh including spaced longitudinal rods and spaced transverse rods extending across the longitudinal rods, providing along a first longitudinal edge of the mesh free end parts of the transverse rods which extend a substantial distance beyond the last longitudinal rod near this edge, bringing the two edges of the mesh together with the said free end parts overlapping a particular longitudinal rod which is adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the mesh, and bending those free end parts around that said particular longitudinal rod so that they extend substantially side by side with parts of the said free end parts which are nearer to the said last longitudinal rod.

The invention also includes apparatus suitable for the fabrication of a wire basket in the form of an open-ended cylinder adapted for the reinforcement of tubular and other concrete structures, comprising means for holding and positioning a wire mesh including spaced longitudinal rods and spaced transverse rods extending across the longitudinal rods, provided along a first longitudinal edge of the mesh with free end parts of the transverse rods which extend a substantial distance beyond the last longitudinal rod near this edge, with the two edges of the mesh brought together with the said free end parts overlapping a particular longitudinal rod which is adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the mesh, and tool means arranged to act upon said free end parts to bend them round that said particular longitudinal rod so that they extend substantially side by side with parts of the said free end parts which are nearer to said last longitudinal rod.

The term cylinder" as used includes shapes of both circular and noncircular cross section.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. IA and 18, when placed side by side as indicated in FIG. 1C, form a side elevation of a basket forming machine in a loading operative position;

FIGS. 2A and 28, when placed side by side as indicated in FIG. 2C, form a side elevation of the machine shown in FIG. 1 but with the working parts in a different operative position;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the machine shown in FIGS. 2A and 28, as viewed from the right-hand side of FIG. 28;

FIG. 4 is a sectional end view, taken on line IV-IV of FIG. 1A and as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation of a lower part of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a small upper part only of a reinforcing basket shown in FIG.'4, in an initial unbent state;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the rear of a fixture beam shown in FIGS. IA and 18;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of an end part only of a top beam shown in FIGS. IA and 18, viewed from the opposite side of the beam;

FIG. 9 is a sectional end view taken on the line IX-IX of FIG. 8, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the right-hand end only of a fixture beam shown in FIG. IA;

FIG. II is a side elevation showing the right-hand end only of a fixture beam shown in FIG. 7, and is drawn to a larger scale than that FlG.;

FIG. I2 is an end elevation of thc fixture beam shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. I3 is a sectional side elevation of an upper part of the basket shown in FIG. 6, after a first bending operation;

FIG. 14 is a sectional side viewof an upper part of the reinforcing basket aficr a second bending operation, as viewed from the right- OF FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional end view taken on the line XV-XV of FIG. 2A and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 16 corresponds to FIG. 13 and illustrates the rclationship of certain bending tools to the wires of the basket;

FIG. 17 illustrates the operation of one of the tools shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 correspondsto FIG. I5 but shows the working parts in a different operative position; and

FIG. 19 is a plan view and FIG. 20 is: a sectional end view of an upper part of the basket when it is completed.

Referring first to FIGS. IA to 3, the basket fonning machine shown therein comprises a massive base 1 formed by a crucifixlike arrangement of I-section girders IA, 18 and IC welded together and provided at their crossing point with a vertical column 3 braced to the frame by an arrangement of struts 5A, 5B and 5C. This column 3 is circular in cross section, and forms the main support for a lower cantilever fixture beam 7 and for an upper cantilever top beam 9. Beam 7 is rigidly fixed to a tubular sleeve 11 which is slidable up and down the column 3 and which can be locked in adjusted position. Two crossmembers 13 extend laterally respectively from opposite sides of sleeve 11 and at their outer ends carry guide sleeves 15. The two guide sleeves slide respectively on two vertical guide rods 17 and 19 mounted respectively on the base girders 1B and 1C, and serve to prevent slewing of the fixture beam 7 on the column 3. The upper ends of the rods are secured to the upper end of column 3 respectively by tie bars 21 and 23.

Top beam 9 is rigidly fixed to a tubular sleeve 25 which is slidable up and down the column 3 under the action of a hydraulic ram 27 having a cylinder 27A mounted at its lower end on the base 1 and having its ram 27B connected at its upper end to a bracket 29 fixed to the sleeve 25. Associated with sleeve 25 is vertical stiffener member 31, the upper end of which is provided with a laterally extending fork 33 embracing the column 3 and carrying, on the side of the column remote from the top beam, a rotatably mounted roller 35 which by acting on the column 3 takes much of the weight-induced thrust off the top end of the sleeve 25 and thus facilitates movement of the sleeve by the ram 27. The upper end of the stiffener member 31 is connected by. a strut 37 to a point near the far end of the top beam 9, and the strut is braced to intermediate parts of the top beam by short struts 39. Two crossmembers 41 extend laterally respectively from opposite sides of sleeve 25 and at their outer ends carry guide sleeves 43 which slide respectively on the two guide rods I7 and 19. These guide sleeves serve to prevent slewing of the top beam on the column 3.

The base I also serves as a platform on which are mounted a reservoir for hydraulic. liquid, a pump for that liquid, an electric motor which drives the pump, and manually operable valves controlling the supply of hydraulic liquid under pressure to various actuators.

Also mounted on the base I is a locating carriage 51 (see FIGS. IA, IB, 4 and 51 comprising two angle irons 53 held in spaced relationship by crossmembers such as members 55 and 57 to form a support for a wire basket 59. Each angle iron carries two depending plate 61, and each of these plates is arranged as shown in FIG. 5 to be guided by two rollers 63 rotatably mounted on a bracket 65 carried by the base I-beam 1A. The brackets 65 are arranged inwardly of the plates 61, so that the brackets help to locate the carriage sidewardly, while the rollers prevent longitudinal displacement of the plates and thus of the carriage 51. The locating carriage is supponed at three spaced locations by pairs of hinged links, namely upper links 67 pivotally connected (see FIG. 4) to the angle irons, and lower links 69 pivotally connected to lugs 71 mounted on plates 73 which extend laterally from the lower web of the base I-beam 1A. The upper links are coupled to the lower links by cross rods 75, and these rods 75 are threaded at each end through a driving link 77, the two driving links being coupled together at one end, where they are also coupled (see FIG. IE) to the ram 79 of the hydraulic actuating cylinder 81 for the locating carriage. Operation of that cylinder will rock the links 67 and 69 between the positions shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, and thus cause raising or lowering of the locating carriage 51 relative to the base 1. In a lowered position, the cross rods 75 sit on top of the I-beam 1A and in a raised position, the driving link 77 engages an abutment to prevent continued movement. In this manner the two limiting positions are positively defined.

The fixture beam 7 is a heavy beam of I cross section, as can be seen most clearly from FIG. 4. On one side of the vertical web of this beam (to the right-hand side in FIG. 4) is arranged an actuating rod 85 connected near one end to the ram 87A of a hydraulic actuator 87, the cylinder 87B of which is fixed to the lower flange of that I-beam. This actuating rod 85 carries three wedge pads 89A, 89B 89C, and the upper flange of the I- beam is formed with three holes so arranged that three cylindrical locking members 91 93 and 95 carried by the top beam 9, and described in more detail below, can enter the holes and be engaged by the wedge pads to lock the top beam to the fixture beam. The upper surface of the fixture beam 7 carries a fixture plate 97 provided (see FIG. 18) with an upstanding fixed stop 97A, with three spaced rough locator lugs 97B and with a multiplicity of block locators 99.

In order that the following mechanical description shall be more clearly followed the operation of the machine will now be described briefly.

With the locating carriage 51 in the raised position shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and with the fixture beam 7 set to an appropriate height above that locating carriage 61, a partly formed wire-mesh reinforcement basket, the basket 59, is slid into position along the locating carriage, resting on the two angles irons 53 as shown in FIG. 4 and encircling the fixture beam 7. This basket 59 consists of a mesh of parallel straight longitudinal wires or rods 59A and a number of circumferential wires or rods 59B, spaced apart along the rods 59A at distances of three inches, the rods 59B lying radially outside the rods 59A and the rods being welded together where they cross one another.

These baskets are assembled and welded in the form of a flat mesh, one edge 59X of the assembly consisting of one of the rods 59A with each of the rods 59B terminating a short distance (e.g., one-fourth inch) beyond the rod 59A, and the other edge 59Y of the assembly consisting of one of the rods 59A with each of the rods 59 terminating a considerable distance (e.g., inches) beyond that rod 59A. The flat mesh is then fed sidewardly through an arrangement of rolls which are so set that the basket is formed as shown in FIG. 4, with the edge 59X overlapping the edge 59Y by about half the distance by which the rods 59B overlap the rod 59A at this edge 59Y of the basket. Thus,- in the example mentioned, the overlap between the two edges is about 2%inches. FIG. 6 illustrates the relationship of the two edges 59X and 59Y.

The basket 59 is slid along the locating carriage 51 until it butts against the fixed stop 97A. The locating carriage 51 is then lowered from the position shown in FIG. 4, by operation of the hydraulic actuating cylinder 81 and folding of the links 67 and 69, so that the basket 59 hangs freely on the fixture beam 7. The three rough locators 97B assist the stop 97A in locating the basket axially. Each block locator 99 consists of two spaced abutments 99A and 998 (see FIG. 4) which lie between the two edge rods 59A, so retaining the basket against its natural tendency to open up and slip off the sides of the beam 7. It is important that the two end parts of each rod 598 shall be spaced apart as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 also shows how at this stage six fingers I00 locate the wires 59B near edge 59X.

The top beam 9 is now lowered to position and to clamp the basket 59 on the fixture beam 7. This is effected by engagement of downwardly facing surfaces on the top beam and upwardly facing surfaces on a fixture plate 97 mounted on the top of the fixture beam with parts of the rods 59A adjacent the two edges 59X and 59Y, the parts of those rods which are so clamped being the parts between the circumferential rods 593, so that those rods 59B are still accessible for shaping described below. Each of the three cylindrical locking members 91, 93 and consists of a rod slidably mounted in a housing on the beam 9 for limited vertical movement relative to the beam. At its lower end, each rod is transversely slotted to accept the wedge pads. At its upper ends, each rod is screwthreaded and carries locknuts to locate a compression spring 91A, 93A or 95A which acts between the beam and the rod to bias the rod upwardly.

Mounted on the side of the fixture beam 7 which is to the left in FIG. 4, are many vertically movable rod bending tools 101. These are spaced apart along the length of the fixture beam at spacingsequal to that of the circumferential rods 59B, and are all mounted (see FIG. 7) on a base member 103. Base member I03 carries at spaced intervals laterally extending pins which cooperate with a cam track 107. The cam track is connected at one end to the ram of a hydraulic actuator 109, and the arrangement is such that when the base member 103 is held against lengthwise movement, and the actuator 109 is operated to move the cam track 107 lengthwise to the right in FIG. 7 the base member 103, and with it all the bending tools 101, is moved upwardly. These tools 101 are so arranged relative to the rod 59A which lies adjacent basket edge 59! that they engage the free ends of the rods 59B and bend them upwardly as shown in FIG. 8 through an angle of 90. The spacing between the overlapping ends of each rod 598, ensures that tools 101 do not engage and bend both ends.

As the tools 101 approach their uppermost positions, abutments I02 carried by the base member 103 engage the lower ends of screw-threaded rods 104 mounted near their upper ends on the top beam 9. Upon continued upward movement of the tools 101, the base member 103 through the abutments 102 and the rods 104 lift the top beam up a short distance against the action of the compression springs 91A, 93A and 93B associated with the rods 91, 93 and 95. This upward movement of the top beam 9 releases the rods of the basket 59.

The subsequent operation will be understood from a study of FIGS. 10, Ill and 12. An extension 107A of the cam track 107 extends between two guide rods 110 welded to the lower flange of the beam 7. This extension 107A has rigidly fixed to it three abutments 111, 112 and 113, the disposition of which is best shown in FIG. 11. Abutment 111 is arranged to engage the lower end of a lever 114 mounted on a pivot pin 114A carried by a bracket mounted on the upper flange of the beam 7. The upper end of this lever 114 is pivotally coupled by a pin 115 to a link 1116 which can engage a block 117 carried by the fixture plate 97. The fikture plate is mounted on beam 7 by downwardly extending lugs extending into slots in the beam 7, so that the plate is capable of limited movement along the beam 7. Thus continued movement of the cam track 107 to the right in FIG. 11 causes the abutment III to engage the lower end of the lever I14 and attempt to rock that lever anticlockwise (viewed as in FIG. 11). This movement is possible since the continued movement of the cam track 107 has lifted the top beam 9 off the fixture plate 97, so that as lever 114 rocks, the fixture plate 97 is moved to the left in FIG. 11 (i.e., towards the column 3). As the movement of the cam track 1107 continues, the abutment 112 engages an adjustable stop 118 carried by a slide plate 119. This plate lies'flat against the web of the l-bcam 7, and is held in place by bolts 120 fitted through slots 120A in the slide plate. Thus plate 119 can move lengthwise through a short distance. Engagement of abutment 112 with the stop 118 thus causes movement of slide plate 119 towards the right in FIG. 11 (i.e., away from the column 3). Since this slide plate 119 carries the six fingers 100, the com bined movements of the fixture plate 97 and the fingers 100 in opposite directions brings the two end parts of the rods 59B close together.

Once this has taken place, the cam track 107 is retracted somewhat by the actuator 109, and this permits the top beam 9 to move downwardly under the force of the springs 91A, 93A and 95A to clamp the basket firmly in its new position. During this retraction of the cam track 107, the abutment 113 engages an abutment 119A fixed to slide plate 119 and moves the slide plate 119 (and so the fingers 100) back to its original position. Since link 116 is face to separate from block 117, the

fixture plate 97 remains in its new position. I

The top beam 9 carries two sets of tools, namely a first set of tools 121 one for each rod 598 and movable laterally of the beam, and a second set of tools 123, one for each rod 598, and

movable vertically of the beam. The shape and arrangement of these tools are shown in FIG. 15, and are indicated diagrammatically in FIGS. 16 and 17. Each tool 121 is mounted by a rod 125 on a cross slide 127 actuated by two hydraulic cylinders 129, spaced apart along the slide. Each tool 121 includes a leading finger 131 and is formed with a vertical bore 133 through which the associated tool 123 of the second set can be moved downwardly from the position shown in FIG. to the position indicated in FIG. 18, by a crosshead 134 movable by a hydraulic actuator 135.

Returning to the operation of the machine, the tools 101 are returned to their original positions by the actuator 109. The hydraulic cylinders 129 are then utilized to move the tools 121 to the right (viewed as in FIG. 15) so bending over the offset ends of the rods 598 to the position shown in FIG. 15, in which the bent-over ends are adjacent to but are sprung upwardly and sidewardly from the adjacent parts of the rods 598. With these tools 121 still in this position, the tools 123 are moved downwardly by their hydraulic actuators 135. The lower end of each tool 123 engages the bent end of the associated rod 598, and crimps down this end to the position shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, to lie beside the remaining part of this rod. As shown clearly in those FIGS. this bent end of the rod encircles tightly the longitudinal rod 59A of the other edge of the basket, so forming a tight positive connection, while the bent end is located in approximately the same cylindrical surface as the remainder of the rods 598.

This completes the formation of the cylindrical basket, but it is necessary to release it from the machine, and this is effected by operating actuator 87 to move the wedge pads 89A, 89B and 89C and so release the top beam 9 from the fixture beam 7, whereupon the top beam 9 can be raised by its hydraulic actuator 27. The actuating rod 85 carries (see FIG. 1A) an adjustable stop 141 arranged to engage one of the lugs 143 which are carried by and serve to position and guide the fixture plate 97. Stop 141 thus acts to return the fixture plate to its original position at this stage. The tools 123 are raised to their upper positions and the tools 121 then moved back laterally to their original positions, ready to operate on a further basket. The locating carriage 51 is then raised by means of the actuator 81 to fit lift the basket off the fixture beam 7 and the completed basket slid lengthwise off the end of the carriage.

Although in the preferred embodiment of the invention described above, the wire baskets have been intended for use in the spinning of tubular concrete conduits, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the invention is capable of more general use. For example, in the provision of wire reinforcement of poured concrete columns, it may be desirable to use a generally tubular wire mesh reinforcement basket for the surface areas of the concrete in addition to the main longitudinal reinforcing bars in the concrete. The cross section of such a basket will depend upon the shape of the column, and can be circular or rectangular as desired. Furthermore, in the manu' facture of concrete silos, the basket can be used to reinforce poured sections of silos. By the use of the present invention, the possibility of stray free ends of the reinforcing wire extend ing too near to the surface of the concrete (even where they do not actually reach the surface of the concrete) is avoided. It will be appreciated that when the: wire reinforcing of a concrete structure is too close to the surface, the penetration of water and air into the concrete permits corrosion of the iron in the wire with both a loss in strength and a change in volume, which accelerates deterioration of the structure.

Standard spun concrete pipes are provided at one end with a spigot and at the other end with a socket, so that pipes can readily be assembled end to end. If it is desired to bond a tubular pipe end into a terminal concrete structure, or even possibly to join two adjacent pipes by a poured joint, the ends of the basket can be allowed to extend beyond the ends of the concrete pipe. In such cases, 'at least the intermediate part of the basket is fully embedded in and covered by concrete.

The machine described above, by way of example, will be seen to include at several points adjustable stops. These facilitate the setting of the machine to form baskets of different diameters. Usually, when such a change in diameter is involved, the fixture plate 97 will need to be removed and replaced with one suited to the new basket to be made, and additionally adjustments usually will be required to compen' sate for the different diameter of rod 59A and 598 used in baskets of different diameters.

I claim:

1. A method of fabricating a-wire basket in the form of an open-ended cylinder suitable for the reinforcement of tubular and other concrete structures, comprising:

a. the formation of a wire mesh including spaced longitudinal rods and spaced transverse rods extending across the longitudinal rods; this mesh having first and second longitudinal edges;

b. providing along the first longitudinal edge of the mesh free end parts of the transverse rods which extend a substantial distance between a last longitudinal rod near this edge;

e. bringing the two edges of the mesh together with the said free end parts overlapping a particular longitudinal rod which is adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the mesh; and

d. bending those free end parts around that said particular longitudinal rod so that they extend substantially side by side with parts of the said free end parts which are nearer to the said last longitudinal rod.

2. The method according to claim 1, in which all the said free end parts are bent about the same said particular longitudinal rod.

3. The method according to claim 1, in which all the transverse rods terminate at the second longitudinal edge at or at only a short distance beyond the said particular longitudinal rod, to which they are secured.

4. The method according to claim 1, in which the free ends are bent about the said particular'longitudinal rod in such a manner that lateral movement of that rod relative to those free ends is effectively prevented.

5. The method according to claim 1, in which terminal parts of the free ends after fabrication lie in the same plane as the parts of the free ends which are secured to the said last Iongitudinal rod.

6. The method according to claim 1, and including the steps in the specified bending of the free end parts of:

a. bending final parts of the end parts through about to extend in a lateral direction past the said particular longitudinal rod;

b. bending the terminal parts of these final parts and along the direction of length of the longitudinal rods;

c. bending these final parts round the said particular longitudinal rod so that the end parts are substantially U- shaped; and

d. crimping the terminal parts of the end parts so that these terminal parts lie in the same plane as the parts of the free ends which are secured to the said last longitudinal rod.

7. The method accordingto claim 1, in which the transverse rods lie on the outward side of the longitudinal rods when the two edges of the mesh are brought together, except for the said particular longitudinal rod and the said end parts are bent outwardly past the said particular longitudinal rod.

8. Apparatus suitable for the fabrication of a wire basket in the form of an open-ended cylinder adapted for the reinforcement of tubular and other concrete structures, comprising:

a. means for holding and positioning a partially cylindrically bent wire mesh including spaced. longitudinal rods and spaced transverse rods extending across the longitudinal rods with free ends of the transverse rods extending a substantial distance beyond the last longitudinal rod'near one edge of the mesh;

b. tool means arranged to act upon said free end parts of the transverse rods; and

. actuating means for the tool means arranged when operated to bend the said free end parts around that said particular rod so that the end parts extend substantially side by side with parts of the said free end parts which are nearer to said last-longitudinal rod.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the tool means include:

a. a first set of tools arranged to bend final parts of the said free end parts about the said particular rod through substantially a right angle;

b. a second set of tools arranged to bend the final parts of the rods further so that the said free end parts are substantially U-shaped; and

c. a third set of tools arranged to crimp terminal parts of the end parts so that they lie in the same plane as the parts of the free ends which are secured to the said last longitudinal rod.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, including;

a. a first beam arranged to support the basket during its formation;

b. a second beam extending parallel to the first beam;

0. means by which the first beam and the second beam can be moved towards and away from each other; and in which:

d. the first toolset is mounted on the first beam; and

e. the second and the third tool sets are mounted on the second beam.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which:

a. upright structure is provided; and

b. the first beam and the second beam are both cantilevers mounted on and extending laterally from the said upright structure.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 l, in which:

a. the upright structure is a vertical column;

b. the second beam is mounted on the column above the first beam; and

c. hydraulic power means form the means by which the first beam and the second beam can be moved towards and away from each other.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which:

a. basket holding means are carried by the first beam;

b. the basket holding means are movable along the beam relative to the tools of the first tool set; and

c. this relative movement is effective to produce bendingof the said final parts along the direction of length of the longitudinal rods. 

1. A method of fabricating a wire basket in the form of an openended cylinder suitable for the reinforcement of tubular and other concrete structures, comprising: a. the formation of a wire mesh including spaced longitudinal rods and spaced transverse rods extending across the longitudinal rods; this mesh having first and second longitudinal edges; b. providing along the first longitudinal edge of the mesh free end parts of the transverse rods which extend a substantial distance between a last longitudinal rod near this edge; c. bringing the two edges of the mesh together with the said free end parts overlapping a particular longitudinal rod which is adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the mesh; and d. bending those free end parts around that said particular longitudinal rod so that they extend substantially side by side with parts of the said free end parts which are nearer to the said last longitudinal rod.
 2. The method according to claim 1, in which all the said free end parts are bent about the same said particular longitudinal rod.
 3. The method according to claim 1, in which all the transverse rods terminate at the second longitudinal edge at or at only a short distance beyond the said particular longitudinal rod, to which they are secured.
 4. The method according to claim 1, in which the free ends are bent about the said particular longitudinal rod in such a manner that lateral movement of that rod relative to those free ends is effectively prevented.
 5. The method according to claim 1, in which terminal parts of the free ends after fabrication lie in the same plane as the parts of the free ends which are secured to the said last longitudinal rod.
 6. The method according to claim 1, and including the steps in the specified bending of the free end parts of: a. bending final parts of the end parts through about 90* to extend in a lateral direction past the said particular longitudinal rod; b. bending the terminal parts of these final parts and along the direction of length of the longitudinal rods; c. bending these final parts round the said particular longitudinal rod so that the end parts are substantially U-shaped; and d. crimping the terminal parts of the end parts so that these terminal parts lie in the same plane as the parts of the free ends which are secured to the said last longitudinal rod.
 7. The method according to claim 1, in which the transverse rods lie on the outward side of the longitudinal rods when the two edges of the mesh are brought together, except for the said particular longitudinal rod and the said end parts are bent outwardly past the said particular longitudinal rod.
 8. Apparatus suitable for the fabrication of a wire basket in the form of an open-ended cylinder adapted for the reinforcement of tubular and other concrete structures, comprising: a. means for holding and positioning a partially cylindrically bent wire mesh including spaced longitudinal rods and spaced transverse rods extending across the longitudinal rods with free ends of the transverse rods extending a substantial distance beyond the last longitudinal rod near one edge of the mesh; b. tool means arranged to act upon said free end parts of the transverse rods; and c. actuating means for the tool means arranged when operated to bend the said free end parts around that said particular rod so that the end parts extend substantially side by side with parts of the said free end parts which are nearer to said last-longitudinal rod.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the tool means include: a. a first set of tools arranged to bend final parts of the said free end parts about the said particular rod through substantially a right angle; b. a second set of tools arranged to bend the final parts of the rods further so that the said free end parts are substantially U-shaped; and c. a third set of tools arranged to crimp terminal parts of the end parts so that they lie in the same plane as the parts of the free ends which are secured to the said last longitudinal rod.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, including: a. a first beam arranged to support the basket during its formation; b. a second beam extending parallel to the first beam; c. means by which the first beam and the second beam can be moved towards and away from each other; and in which: d. the first tool set is mounted on the first beam; and e. the second and the third tool sets are mounted on the second beam.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which: a. upright structure is provided; and b. the first beam and the second beam are both cantilevers mounted on and extending laterally from the said upright structure.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which: a. the upright structure is a vertical column; b. the second beam is mounted on the column above the first beam; and c. hydraulic power means form the means by which the first beam and the second beam can be moved towards and away from each other.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which: a. basket holding means are carried by the first beam; b. the basket holding means are movable along the beam relative to the tools of the first tool set; and c. this relative movement is effective to produce bending of the said final parts along the direction of length of the longitudinal rods. 